Page 88 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

“Grab the cutlery, darlin’,” I demand, turning my back to her so she can’t see just how much her kiss affects me.

26

SIENNA

Hockey players are many things. Strong, brutal, resilient, relentless, to name a few. But I never thought of them as being sweet, thoughtful, and compassionate. I guess it’s easy to forget that they’re real people when you’re watching them bash each other into the boards, or pictured in the media living the kind of life most people could only dream of.

But since Bea hooked up with Rett, I’ve learned a whole lot about hockey players. Watching Rett fall in love with her was pretty incredible. And now, I’m getting to learn more about Calvin, a man I’ve admired from afar for so long. But it was only surface-level stuff—mostly because he’s a hockey player and hot as hell. But I’m discovering that he’s so much more than that. Underneath all his equipment and the fuckboy persona he shows the rest of the world, there’s a kind and caring person. A person who I think might just be a little bit lost, if some of the things he’s said tell me anything.

It fucking kills me to think that he could be spending the holiday alone.

But what the fuck am I going to do about it? Invite him to Idaho with me?

That’s crazy.

We’ve spent a few evenings hanging out, mostly when I was sick. And we’ve had one date—two if you count tonight, which, from the sound of it, Calvin doesn’t. He mentioned our second date a few times tonight. Although he hasn’t given anything away, it’s clear he’s been thinking about it.

It’s way too soon to be thinking about introducing him to my parents, who will absolutely lose their minds. But to take him on a holiday for the entire weekend? Yeah, no. That’s a bit much.

Doesn’t stop me thinking about it, though.

I twist and turn in bed, my thoughts bouncing between him being here alone and the final kiss we shared.

Just like the previous two, he asked my permission before his lips brushed mine.

I was nervous after what happened earlier in the evening, but I didn’t need to be. Calvin was the perfect gentleman. He kept space between our bodies, and despite obviously wanting to be in charge, he handed control over to me.

It was a heady feeling, knowing that I held the power over such a strong man. His kindness threatened to bring me to my knees.

Not all men react the way he did tonight after I freaked out. I have experience of others running as fast as they can once they discover just how broken I am.

It’s why I refuse to even attempt hooking up with anyone now. I tried it, thinking it could fix me. But that was naive of me. If I’m going to get over my issues, I need someone I trust implicitly. And despite dating a few guys I thought could be the one to do it, I was wrong. Most guys aren’t in it for the long haul. As soon as they discovered sex wasn’t on the table by a certain date, they were off.

As much as I want to understand, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t sting.

But still, I’ve lived in hope that the right man is out there. I might not have dated for a few months, but I haven’t sworn off trying. I just ran out of energy and enthusiasm after the last couple of dates were total busts.

But tonight, Calvin was different. He didn’t look at me like I was a freak of nature for not wanting to dive straight into bed with him. Instead, he was willing to listen. And I have no doubt that if I were willing to talk, he’d have done exactly that.

There’s a part of me that regrets not pulling up my big-girl pants and telling him everything. But as much as I might have wanted to, the words got stuck in my throat. And despite his desperate urge to ask more, he let me lead and kept his questions to himself.

When I started yawning, my exhaustion hitting after my long day at the salon, I wasn’t ready for him to leave.

I certainly wasn’t ready for our kiss to end. I’d have loved nothing more than to twist my fingers with his and drag him back to my bed. He looked so fucking good, lying out on it earlier. He just needed a few fewer clothes and⁠—

“Jesus Christ,” I mutter, flipping over again. The sheets are all twisted up, and my body is on fire.

I know what I need. I’ve needed it since I stepped out of the elevator and found him waiting for me.

“Fuck it,” I cry, throwing the sheets off and shedding my sleep shorts. I pull my nightstand open and reach for my vibrator. The bottle of lube in there taunts me, but I already know that I don’t need it. I’m so freaking wet for him, and he’s not even here. I can’t even hear the evidence of him being upstairs.

I’m suddenly struck with the thought that he went straight to find a bunny who’ll be more than willing to give him what I couldn’t tonight.

I grit my teeth and force that image from my head. He told me he’s not interested in any bunnies, and he’s given me no reason to disbelieve him. So instead, as both of my hands sink between my thighs, I think of him upstairs in bed, also struggling with the desire tonight has left him with.

And with that, I come harder than I have in a very long time, Calvin’s name peeling from my lips and filling the room as I crash over the edge.

Calvin King of the ice Keller: Have a good flight. Message me when you land.